Scam Number: 1-866-945-9973
Scammer’s Website or Email: powerbooksllc.com
Additional information about this scam:
I’m not 100% sure exactly what these guys are but they are, of course, advertised on Google and come up first. My client was trying to locate a version of Sage 50 to download onto their laptop and called this number. These people gave them dire warnings that up to 43% of their data was corrupted and they would lose all historical information without buying the updated accounting software from them. They, of course, needed logmein access to the company server.
I had them disconnect the connection and have the IT guy checking for behind the scenes installations - but the line is completely scammy and I wanted to give you guys the info so you can check it out.
I have been using Sage Accounting for 25 years, since way back when it was called Simply Accounting, so I am very proficient with it. I purchased the Sage PRO Accounting 2023 only 3 months ago to replace my last version. After completing the journals for 2022 and about to close the year-end I noticed that there were some inconsistencies with Account Reconciliation. I got the above telephone number from the first result of a Google search.
A “technician” who called himself “Alex” answers. The process is very similar to Angela’s. To investigate online an app called LetMeIn.exe is installed to allow him access to my computer. Right away, without any attempt to investigate the Reconciliation problem, a dialogue window appears saying that my data is 43% corrupted. Then he starts talking non-stop about how my database would be wiped out if he doesn’t fix it right away.
My antenna starts to go up.
Since nothing was done wrong in the mere months of using the app which I am very proficient with, I ask him why it happened. These are his words: the data was corrupted when I close the app by clicking the ‘X’ at the top-right corner. I said it’s ridiculous since that’s what we consumers do with millions of apps when we close them. He just keeps saying that it doesn’t apply to Sage. Then he proposes to fix it once I buy one of the 3 Service Plans, ranging from $3,500 to $5,500.
Now I am 100% sure I’m talking to a scammer. I tell him to get lost and he starts swearing with the MF word. Then comes the worst part. He starts RESTARTING my computer with his command in the dialogue box. As soon I log in he types RESTART again. This goes on for about half an hour. Then he left.
